Best Wired Router 2018 Reviews and Comparisons

If you have a lot of jobs to undertake around the home, in your garage or even in your workshop, it’s likely that you will also need a variety of tools. One of the tools that you could need is a wired router, and a tool such as this could help you create different effects with relative ease. There are a lot of wired routers on the market right now which means you could have difficulty choosing the right one for you. Worry no more, below you will find 5 of the best wired routers for sale right now, making your choice so much easier.

Product Reviews

The Bosch MRP23EVS 120-volt 2.3 HP Plunge Base Router is a sturdy-looking piece of equipment that gives the impression it will undertake all of your jobs with ease. With 10,000 to 25,000 RPM, you can use a lot of different bits at their ideal speed. Remember, the bigger the bit, the slower the speed.

With a trigger control system that gives you better control and a smooth plunge action, using the Bosch plunge base router should be relatively easy. Sold for approximately $222, and complete with LED lighting, users will find the light is handy even when visibility is poor. The LED lighting also helps you to see exactly what you’re doing, every step of the way. Weighing 18 pounds and measuring 13 x 13 x 9 inches, the MRP23EVS has a good reputation for being easy and safe to use.

The DEWALT DWP611PK 1.25 HP Max Torque Variable Speed Compact Router Kit comes with 1.25 horsepower meaning it has enough power to undertake some very tough jobs. With dual LED’s and a sub-base that is clear, users will have a lot of visibility every time. Sold for approximately $171, this router is a lot cheaper than many others on the market right now, making it more attractive to those who do not want to spend a lot of money. Measuring 10.25 x 7 x 19.25 inches, and weighing just 8 pounds, the compact design is ideal if you don’t want or need to use large tools.

With a soft starting motor and a spring-loaded release the DEWALT is perhaps one of the easiest wired routers to use, and with a reputation for being ideal for inlaying, this could be the router for you.

The Ryobi R1631K 1 ½ Peak HP 8.5 Amp LED Lit Corded Router is a unique-looking router that is sold for approximately $88, making it a very cheap model. Complete with 3 router bits: 5/16 straight cut, ¼ inch radius roundover, and 5/32 inch Roman Ogee, this router is sold as a starter kit.

With the ability to cut up to 2 inches deep while working at 25,000 RPM, the R1631K comes with dual ergonomic handles, a quick-lock button, and easy depth adjustments. Measuring 7.09 x 11.4 x 10.47 inches, this could be the smallest wired router you will find, making it ideal for smaller hands, and smaller work spaces. With a reputation for being the ideal router for multiple projects, if you’re undertaking projects for the first time, this could be the right wired router for you.

The SKIL 1817 120V 1 ¾ HP Fixed Based Router has a modern chrome/black/deep pink finish and is sold for approximately $160. With ½ inch collet capacity and a dual position on and off button for ease of use, this fixed base router is one of the better models on the market, making it ideal for anyone who has a bit of experience using routers.

Offering professional results and soft start technology, the SKIL also comes with a chip deflector, collet wrench, collet adapter and router motor unit. Measuring 13 x 9 x 8 inches, the 1817 is thought to be ideal for cutting basic patterns, and forming and rounding edges. With LED sitelight and soft handles, if you’re looking for a professional-quality wired router, this could be the one you need.

The Ryobi R163GK 8.5 amp 1.5 HP Fixed Base Corded Router comes with a quick-release button that makes it ideal for depth adjustments, and an 8.5 amp motor meaning it is perfect for high-performance jobs. With a modern finish that will make it stand out, this router also has LED lights that give the user improved sight during use. The routers handles have been ergonomically designed so they are comfortable to use, which is important if you’re going to be spending a lot of time using it.

Weighing just 6.5 pounds, this is one of the lightest corded routers on the market right now, and the light weight makes it ideal for prolonged use. Measuring 11.4 x 7.1 x 10.5 inches, and costing approximately $84, if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a router, this could well be the model you need.

Buying Guide

Power

The amount of power that a wired router offers can affect its RPM. If you’re in the market for a router that you’ll use occasionally you might want to opt for one that is quite low powered, as it’s unlikely you’ll need that extra boost of power for tough jobs. However, if you do what to use your new router every week, you should opt for one that has more power, so you can tackle those tougher jobs with ease. If you’re not sure how much power you will need, take a look at the router’s packaging or product description and it will tell you exactly what can be used for.

RPM

Most routers will let you adjust the RPM a little, although some compact routers do not allow you to adjust it quite as much as the larger size models do. In any case, the RPM that you’ll need will depend on the job that you need to do. The type of wood that you’re going to use could also affect the speed. If you’re using hard wood, you may need to use a quicker speed. Typically, the larger the router bit, the slower the speed will need to be. If you have never used a wired router before, you will need to practice using different size router bits at different speeds. Practising will help you to gauge how fast you need the router bit to spin in order to get the job done properly.

Model

The wired router model you end up purchasing will depend on a few things:

How much money you want to spend on a router

How often you are going to use your new router

Which brand you prefer.

Cost

When it comes to the cost, you should think about spending no more than $150 on your new wired router. This is because you need to gauge how well you can use one, and how well you can handle its power. You should be aware that a cheaper model will not be the best model out there, but it should be reasonably ok. Take a look at any comments and reviews that have been left by buyers, and spend as much or as little as you please.

Frequency of use

If you’re going to be using your new router every day, you may want to think about spending quite a bit of money on it. This is because some of the more expensive models have been made for frequent use. Some of the cheaper models have been made for occasional use, and they may even begin to over-heat if you use them for long periods of time.

Which brand you prefer

Some people prefer one brand to another, and the availability of a wired router that goes by their favorite brand name may ultimately determine which wired router they buy.

If you don’t have a favorite brand, simply choose the wired router with a good reputation, a good price, and one that you think will work well for you.

Weight

Wired routers can differ in weight, simply because the motor in some routers is larger than those found in other routers. When you’re using a wired router, don’t forget that you have to support it every step of the way: From the moment you turn the motor on, to the moment you switch it off. Therefore a lighter model may be ideal if you don’t want to pick up and guide anything too heavy.

My advice is to visit a hardware store and pick up the first wired router you come across. Imagine that you’re working with it: How does it feel? Is it too heavy to pick up, or is it comfortable? You may be interested to know that routers with middle-of-the-range prices are usually some of the easiest routers to control, so you may wish to opt for these.

Questions

Why should I buy a corded router?

Some routers come with batteries, and some come with cords. Battery-operated routers may seem quite easy to use, but you need to make sure that the battery is always charged whenever you need to use it. When you use a corded router, you will not need to worry about the power source in the same respect. As long as you have somewhere to plug the router in, you should be good to go.

If your work area has no power outlet, you may need to think about adding one, or purchasing an extension lead so you can plug it into a power outlet in one room, running it through to your work area.

Should you get the same brand router bits?

Most wired routers will come with a few router bits, however, some routers may not come with any at all. You will no doubt appreciate that some bits can be quite costly, and this may tempt you to purchase bits that are not made by the same manufacturer. While many people are happy to buy compatible bits, the manufacturer of your new wired router does not recommend this. This is because they cannot be completely certain that those bits will sit nicely in place. A loose bit could fail to work as well as it should, and there is even the chance that it could cause an accident.

If you purchase router bits that have been made by the same manufacturer, you will know that they fit perfectly, and they may even be slightly better quality. The choice is ultimately up to you. Please make sure that whatever bit you buy, you fit it properly and it is securely fixed in place.

Conclusion

There are many different wired routers on the market right now, and most of them are worth purchasing. We think that the 5 wired routers that you can find above are the best out there. Now it’s up to you to choose the right wired router for you, so you can get all of your jobs done with ease.

If you have any other questions or worries please contact us, or if you have any comments or improvements please leave a comment at the bottom of the page.